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Treetops Resort's Smith Signature - 15th hole

No top 100 ranking? No problem at these great Michigan public golf courses

Michigan has so many good public golf courses that the big glossy golf mags just can't seem to decide which ones are most worthy of top-100 status. The roster of good public options is so deep there are plenty of other top-100-caliber courses -- even if they didn't land an invitation to the exclusive party this time.
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Coyote Golf Club - hole 18

Watch out for the woods at Coyote Golf Club in Lyon Township

Trouble lurks at the back of the property of Coyote Golf Club in New Hudson. A thick patch of forest hides the best stretch of golf -- holes 4-7. "We call it the Amen corner," said General Manager/Director of Golf Jason Raney. "Usually you can put together a good round if you get through there unscathed."
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The Jackal Golf Club at Mt. Brighton - fifth hole

Conquer the ski hill of The Jackal Golf Club at Mt. Brighton

The owners at Mt. Brighton were a little late to the party in transforming their ski hill into a golf course. Popular in Michigan, ski hills provide the elevated tee shots golfers love. The challenge always is how to mix slopes and fairways without screwing up either sport. Jerry Matthews, who has designed more golf courses in Michigan than anyone, successfully weaved the two together at The Jackal Golf Club, for the most part.
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Michigan Golf Destinations

  • Southwest Michigan

    Along Lake Michigan's coastline in the southwest corner of the state, a succession of small beach towns provide a quick escape from the city life of Detroit and Chicago. Value golf courses are a constant theme in Michigan, and the southwest corner is no exception.

    St. Ives Golf Club
    St. Ives Golf Club has received a five-star rating from Golf Digest -- and with good reason. The Jerry Matthews design, which opened in 1995, offers great course conditions amid a beautiful backdrop. Elevation changes that range from 40-80 feet offer up great views of the surrounding area.
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    Tullymore Golf Club
    Tullymore Golf Club, which opened in 2001, is among the top public course options in Michigan. The golf course, designed by Jim Engh, sits on more than 800 acres of wetlands and includes three par 5s and five par 3s (the par-3 15th is entirely over wetlands).
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    Thoroughbred Golf Club
    Thoroughbred Golf Club is the centerpiece of the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury. It consistently ranks as one of West Michigan's top courses. The course is as beautiful as it is challenging with a landscape of lush rolling hills blanketed with mature trees. Golfers should be prepared for a variety of elevation changes and tricky uneven lies.
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  • Upper Peninsula

    Wilderness is the big attraction in the Upper Peninsula. Hunting, fishing, hiking and boating are favorite pastimes of all "Yoopers." The summer golf season may be cruelly short, usually just June through September, but there are some real standout golf courses for those who make the trek.

    George Young Recreational Complex
    The 18-hole George Young Recreation in Gaastra, MI is a public golf course that opened in 1984. Designed by George Young, George Young Recreation measures 7041 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 130 and a 74.3 USGA rating. The course features 3 sets of tees for different skill levels.
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  • Northwest Michigan

    The most coveted vacation spot in Michigan is the northwest coast, where you'll find many of the state's highest-ranked resort golf courses as well as charming lakes and bayside towns. Much of the state's most spectacular coastline can be found in the northwest, making it an ideal summer haven for boaters and those seeking natural, freshwater beaches.

    Black Forest Course at Wilderness Valley
    The Black Forest Course at Wilderness Valley boasts one of the most challenging layouts in northern Michigan. It is one of two championship golf courses at the Wilderness Valley Resort. Black Forest is the more challenging of the two, featuring greens that will test even the most seasoned golfers.
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    Marsh Ridge Resort Course
    Marsh Ridge G.C. sprawls across rolling hills and acres of carefully preserved marshlands. The towering trees and dramatic elevation changes distinguish the golf course as one of the area's best and most scenic.
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    Natural Golf Course
    The Natural Golf Club sits along the western shore of Otsego Lake. As its name implies, the course blends seamlessly into the beautiful surroundings. The challenging layout requires accuracy so don't let the scenery distract you too much. Trees line the meandering fairways and water hazards come into play throughout. Strategically placed bunkers lurk along the greensides as well.
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  • Southeast Michigan

    The majority of Michigan's population and golf courses are based in and around metro Detroit in the state's southeast corner. They love their sports in Detroit, and they especially enjoy golf in the Motor City. While there are plenty of exclusive clubs for the auto industry elite, a smattering of daily-fee courses make the game affordable and accessible for everyone.

    Stony Creek GC
    Stony Creek Metropark Golf Course
    Stony Creek is part of the Huron-Clinton Metroparks system and many locals consider it to be one of its gems. There aren't any residences near the golf course, giving it a secluded feel and providing unhindered views from the elevated tees.
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    Richmond Forest Golf Club
    Situated just north of Detroit, Richmond Forest Golf Course has a secluded setting among forests, ponds, and grassy meadows. The layout has eight holes routed along the seven ponds and nine holes that play through forests of beech, oak, and maple trees. There are nearly 50 sand and grass bunkers framing the mildly undulating greens, which makes proper club and shot selection the key to doing well on this course.
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    Bruce Hills Golf Course
    Bruce Hills Golf Course is located in the north metro Detroit area near Romeo. Mature trees are scattered throughout the course, providing shade and a peacefully secluded feel. The golf course sprawls across a diverse terrain that allows for downhill and uphill approaches to the small, round greens, which are often sloped from back to front.
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  • Northeast Michigan

    While Michigan's northwest may be the more nationally known vacation region, the northeast part of the state boasts a collection of small towns and natural wonders worth exploring, too, including one of the Midwest's top golf destinations, Gaylord.

    Wilderness Valley Course at Wilderness Valley
    Wilderness Valley Resort offers two 18-hole championship golf courses. The Wilderness Valley Course is a player friendly complement to the more challenging Black Forest Course. Together, there is something for players of any skill level at the resort. The Wilderness Valley Course has the same rolling terrain of its sister course but the bunkering is more understated and the greens are more forgiving.
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    Lakes Golf Course
    The Lakes Golf Course offers a unique layout that offers six links holes, six holes that wind through forests and across ski slopes, and six that play along Lake Michaywe. The course offers unrivaled scenery and memorable views.
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    Marsh Ridge Resort Course
    Marsh Ridge G.C. sprawls across rolling hills and acres of carefully preserved marshlands. The towering trees and dramatic elevation changes distinguish the golf course as one of the area's best and most scenic.
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